Roller-skate



HQ L. TRUE.

ROLLER SKATE.

(M odel.)

INVENTOR TTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HIRAM L. TRUE, OF MCGONNELSVILLE, OHIO.

RO LLER-SKATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent` No. 251,321, dated December 20, 1881. Application filed May 21, 1881. iModel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM L. TRUE, a citizen of the United States, resident of McGonnelsville, in the county ot' Morgan and State of Ohio, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Roller-Skates; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a partot'this speciication, and to the letters and figures of ret'- erence marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a side elevation of my device. Fig. 2 is a bottom view, and Fig. 3 is a detail view.

This invention has relation to roller-skates; and it consists in the improved features of coustruction and combination hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

ln the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the skate-stock, which may be of wood or metal and in any ordinary form.

B B indicate the front and rear rollers, which may be single or double, as desired.

`The front roller or both rollers maybe provided with a half caster-frame,0, which is pivotedin front, so as to have alateral movement on the pivot a connecting it with the skate-stock when the foot is turned, thereby enabling the skater to make short turns and to move more easily on the outside edge. Guides or stops b serve to prevent the roller-frame from vibrating too far to either side, and stops or fastenings c, preferably otf angular form, are provided at each side of the stock, to prevent, when desired, the vibration ofthe roller-frame entirely, or to allow it to vibrate only toward one side. These stops can be readily adjusted by the skater upon raising the foot. Sometimes, in addition to front and rear laterally-vibrating rollers, I may employ a central roller of larger diameter, and by using` the ankle-braces there will be snicient support.

D D indicate the ankle-braces, which are pivoted through or tothe stock on its upper side or bottom, as may best suit the size and character of the rollers employed. These ankle-braces are designed to drop about the ankle, being especially designed for the convenience and protection of ladies in their application or removal. As usually constructed these drop-braces are made with two or more joints, as indicated at d d, or otherwise, to provide a falling portion,e, so that the leg-strap g can be fastened or unt'astened near the foot.

In order to give the braces proper firmness when in position, the slides, thimbles,'or jointholders h are applied to said braces near the joints, and in such relation thereto that they can be readily made to engagetherewitll,and can be as easily disengaged when it is desired to let the braces drop. The braces and stock are pivoted together, as above set forth, so that the skate has free vibratory motion with relation to its braces. Usually it is designed to secure the braces to the stock by means of bearings l, which can readily be unfastened to allow the braces to be removed when they are not needed. Sometimes the double-joint braces can beused very conveniently without the thimbles orjoint-fastenings; or the joints above the.

pivoted portion, at the skate-stock, may be dispensed with.

A spring, s, is usually arranged to bear on the front caster-frame, and serves to assist in keeping it directed forward.

Under the caster-frame small roller-bearings 2 are usually provided to prevent undue friction.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Theremovablcpivoted and fallingor dropping ankle-braces D, in combination with the skate-stock pivoted to the lower ends thereof', substantially as specified.

2. In a skate, the halt' caster-roller pivoted in front, substantially as specitied.

3. In a skate, the half caster-roller pivoted in front, and the lateral guides or stops I), to prevent the roller trom vibrating too far to either side, substantially as specitied.

et. In a skate, the halt' caster-roller pivoted in front, and the stops or fasteniugs o, to preventl the vibration of the roller-frame entirely or to either side, substantially as specified.

5. In a skate, the halt' caster-roller having anti-friction bearings z and a directing-spring, s, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence ot` two witnesses.

HIRAM L. TRUE.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM B. CREW, BENJAMIN F. MATsON.

ICO 

